"Thus the lionlike Lord Caitanya has appeared in Navadvipa. He has the shoulders of a lion, the powers of a lion, and the loud voice of a lion. May that lion be seated in the core of the heart of every living being. Thus with His resounding roar may He drive away one's elephantine vices."

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Adi-Lila, 3.30-31 (1)

The divine appearance of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Phalguna (February-March). This is the most auspicious day for all Gaudiya Vaisnavas. It is the most sacred and special festival to glorify the appearance in this world of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna Caitanya.

According to Srila Rupa Goswami, the Rasa-Acarya of the Gaudiya Vaishnavas, and many other exalted authorities, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is one other than the Supreme Personality of Godhead Sri Krsna, who incarnates in the form of a devotee, to enjoy rasa.

Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja describes in the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, that Sri Sri Radha and Krsna are one divine self, or one and the same, but they have taken two bodies. Both Radha and Krsna constantly enjoy each other, and taste the pleasures of divine love.

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda, the supreme enjoyer, whose form is transcendental, who is beyond the touch of the three modes of material nature, and who is all pervading Supersoul residing in the-hearts of all living entities, will appear again in the Kali-age. Appearing as the greatest devotee, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will assume a two-armed form of golden complexion in His abode of Goloka Vrindavana manifested on the bank of the Ganga at Navadvipa. He will disseminate pure devotional service in the world. This incarnation of the Lord is described in the following verses." (2)

IN WHAT COLOR WILL THE LORD APPEAR IN THE KALI-YUGA, AND WHAT WILL HE DO?eko devah sarva-rupi mahatma
gauro rakta syamala-sveta-rupah
caitanyatma sa vai caitanya-saktir
bhaktakaro bhakti-do bhakh-vedyah

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the master of all transcendental potencies, and who may be known only by devotional service, [bhakti vedyah] appears in innumerable transcendental forms. He has appeared in red, white and black complexions, [gauro rakta syamala sveta rupah] and He will also appear in the golden form of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He will assume the role of a perfect devotee [bhakta akarah] and He will teach the conditioned souls the path of pure devotional service [bhakti dah]."

Sri Caitanya Upanisad text 6. (3)

WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE FORM OF LORD CAITANYA AND HOW IS HE UNDERSTOOD?namo vedanta vedyaya
krmaya paramatmane
sarva caitanya rupaya
caitanyaya namo namah (4)

"Knowing Him who is the object of knowledge in the Upanisads, the oldest person, the embodiment of consciousness, the source of the universe and the greatest of all, one crosses over death. There is no other path for going there."

Sri Caitanya Upanisad text 8. (5)

WHAT WILL SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU DO IN THIS INCARNATION ?sva-nama mula-mantrena sarvam hladayati vibhuh (6)

"The Supreme powerful [vibhuh] Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya appears in His golden form, and He will fill the universe with bliss [hladayati] by the chanting of His own holy names [sva-nama-mula-mantrena]."

IS THERE ANY SPECIFIC REFERENCE IN THE VEDAS AS TO WHEN IN THIS YUGA-AVATARA SRI KRSNA CAITANYA WAS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR?atharva-vede-purusa-bodi'ny-upanisad
saptame gaura-varna-visnor ity aena sva-saktya
caikyam etya pratar avatirya saha svaih sva-manum siksayati.

In the Atharva-Veda Purusa-Bodini-Upanisad, it is said:

"In the seventh manvantara, in the beginning of the Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will, accompanied by His own associates, descend in a golden form to the earth. He will teach the chanting of His own names." ( 8 )

DOES LORD CAITANYA APPEAR IN EVERY DAY OF LORD BRAHMA?

Just like the original Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna does appear once in every day of Lord Brahma.

Srila Prabhupada once explained in Melbourne, Australia, in answer the question of how long it would be before Lord Krsna would come to this planet again in His physical form, that Krsna would come again after 8 billion, 600 milion years.

Devotee: "How long do you say it is before Krsna comes to this planet again in His physical form?"

Srila Prabhupada: "Now, calculate, I have already given the duration of one day, twelve hours, of Brahma means 4,300,000 years multiplied by one thousand....the eight billion."

Paramahamsa:"600,000,000."

Srila Prabhupada:"So Krsna comes after this period In one day, after one day of Brahma, He appears."

Devotee:"Srila Prabhupada, does Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu also appear every day of Brahma?"

Srila Prabhupada:"Yes, following Krsna. Krsna comes in the Dvapara-Yuga. There are four sets of yugas: Sattva, Treta, Dvapara, Kali. So Krsna come at the end of Dvapara-Yuga, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu comes in the Kali-Yuga so almost the same year, same circulation... Similarly, Krsna appears in rotation in this universe after so many years, eight billion years. So next He goes to another universe...."(9)

WHEN EXACTLY DOES HE COME IN THE KALI-YUGA, AND WHERE DOES HE SPECIFICALLY APPEAR AND WHAT WILL HE DO?itotham krta sannyaso'vatarisyami sa-guno nirvedo
niskamo bhu-girvanas tira-atho' lakanandayah kalau
catuh-sahasrabdhopari panca-sahasrabhyantare
gaura-varno dirghangah sarva-laksana-yukta isvara-
prarthito nija-rasasvado bhakta-rupo misrakhyo
vidita-yogah syam.

In the Atharva Veda, the Supreme Person says:

"I will descend on the earth after the passage of four thousand years in the Kali-Age, [kalau catuh sahasrabdhopari] and before the passsage of five thousand years [panca sahasra abhyantare].

I will come on the earth on the bank of the Ganges, [tira-sthah alakanandayah]. I will be a tall and saintly Brahmana devotee. I will have all the auspicious symptoms of an exalted person [dirghangah sarva-laksana-yuktah].

I will exhibit renunciation. I will have all auspicious signs. I will be a devotee, practicing bhakti yoga. I will taste the rasa of My own devotional service."

"I shall come to the earth, accompanied by My associates, in a place by the bank of the Ganges. I will advent to save the people who are afflicted and devoured by the sins of the age of Kali. I will manifest as an avadhuta Brahmana sannyasi."

WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE PLACE WHERE THE SUPREME LORD APPEARS?

The Chandogya Upanisad describes the place of advent of the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya. This is explained by Srila Sacidananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura, in the Sabadvipa Dhama Mahatmya (text 5):

"The spiritual city in the shape of a lotus has the abode of Sri Mayapura as its heart. Sridhama Mayapura is the divine abode of Lord Caitanya, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the middle of Mayapura is the place called Antardvipa."

ARE THERE ANY OTHER RELEVANT SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES IN THE VEDAS DESCRIBING THE APPEARANCE OR QUALITIES OF SRI KRSNA CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU?

The Svetasvatara Upanisad (6.7) describes the qualities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Caitanya:

"O Supreme Lord, you are the Supreme Mahesvara, the worshipable deity of all the demigods and the Supreme Lord of all Lords. You are the controller of all controllers, the Personality of Godhead, the Lord of everything worshipable." (13)

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Mahaprabhu, who disseminates transcendental enlightenment. Just to be in touch with Him is to be in contact with the indestructible brahmajyoti."

Svetasvatara Upanisad 3.12(14)

Thus it is clearly established from the writings of the great Acaryas of the Gaudiya-parampara, that Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, whose appearance and birthplace were predicted and whose activities were also foretold.

DID THE SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM, THE FOREMOST OF ALL VEDIC LITERATURES PREDICT THE APPEARANCE OF LORD CAITANYA MARAPRABHU?

In the seventh canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Prahlada Maharaja directly hints at the hidden nature of the Supreme Lord's appearance. Because the Supreme Lord is also called Tri-Yuga, or one who appears in only three yugas (satya, dvapara, treta), He is sometimes said to appear in a concealed form, in the age of Kali.

channah kalau yad abhavas tri-yugo'tha sa tvam

Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.38

ARE THERE ANY MORE DIRECT REFERENCES IN THE SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM, THAN THE ABOVE REFERENCE?

In the tenth canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter eight, Gargamuni the family priest of Nanda Maharaja, explains that the young boy Sri Krsna has three colors - white, red and yellow - when He appears in His transcendental form in different ages. In the current incarnation of Krsna, He has appeared ...as black.

Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja, the celebrated author of the Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, explains that the three colors of white, red and yellow are the three bodily colors which the Supreme Lord assumes in the ages of Satya, Treta and Kali respectively.

The Bhagavatam explains in the conversation between Karabhajana Muni and King Nimi, that in the Dvapara-Yuga, the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead appears in a blackish form [Dvapare bhagavan syamah]. He has a yellow dress and carries His own weapons [pita-vasa-nija-ayudhah]. He is beautified with the mark of Srivatsa and the Kaustubha jewel [Sri vatsa-adibhih ankais ca laksanaih]. This is the actual description of His characteristics [upalaksitah]. (17)

The great sage continues his instruction to King Nimi by saying that people in general in the age of Dvapara-Yuga worshiped the Lord of the Universe [iti dvapara urvisam stuvanti jagad isvaram]. In the age of Kali, they worshipped the Supreme Person by the regulation of the scriptures [tantra vidhana]. (18)

"In the age of Kali, intelligent persons perform congregational chanting to worship the incarnation of Godhead who constantly sings the holy name of Krsna. Although His complexion is not blackish, He is Krsna Himself. He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions." (19)

HOW DOES THIS VERSE REFER TO THE ADVENT OF LORD CAITANYA, SINCE HIS NAME IS NOT DIRECTLY MENTIONED THERE?

Just as the symptoms and characteristics of the various previous incarnations are mentioned in the scriptures, similarly the symptoms of the appearance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu are described.

Krsna-varnam indicates that He belongs to the category of Krsna. Krsna varnam also means one who constantly repeats and sings the name of Krsna. The main business of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the chanting of the holy name of Krsna. Thus the words Krsna varnam and Krsna Caitanya are equivalent.

Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja Goswami has elucidated the two meanings of the words Krsna varnam by stating:

His bodily complexion is not black [tvisa akrsnam]. Lord Caitanya appeared in a very light, golden like complexion. His complexion was yellow [akrma-varane kahe pita-varana] (21). Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was very beautiful.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is often described as Gaurasundara. Gaura means fair and Sundara means beautiful. Sometimes He is also called Gauranga or one who has a very fair complexion.

"In the age of Kali [kalau], great scholars [vidvamsah] worship Lord Krsna by performing the sankirtan [makha-vidhibhih utkirtanamayaih]. Lord Krsna is now non-blackish [akrma-angam], because of the feelings of ecstatic love of Srimati Radharani."

"Anyone can vividly see the golden complexion of Lord Caitanya [tapta kancanera dyuti]. This beautiful golden color dissipates the darkness of ignorance."

Thus, the meaning of the words 'tvisa akrmam' has been explained by the great acaryas, Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada and Srila Krsna Dasa Kaviraja Goswami.

DID HE COME WITH ASSOCIATES OR INTIMATE COMPANIONS?

Lord Caitanya is always accompanied by His associates. His main associates are Lord Nityananda, Advaita Acarya, Srivasa, Gadadhara, Haridasa Thakura, etc. Whenever Lord Caitanya was present, they would assemble around Him and engage in Sankirtana. So in the incarnation of Lord Caitanya He comes with His soldiers and His associates [Caitanya-Krsnera sainya anga-upange]. (24)

Thousands upon thousands of persons would come and participate in the congregational chanting of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra.

sangopangastra parsadam
(sa-anga upa-anga parsadam)

Thus, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu's characteristics and symptoms are described [krsna- varnam], and His bodily color is indicated [tvisa- akrsnam]. This famous verse from the Srimad- Bhagavatam also indicates that the incarnation for this age would also advent with His associates [sa- anga upanga astra parsadam].

The word anga is defined as a bodily limb [anga sabde amsa] (25) and it is also sometimes called a part. A part of a limb [angera avayana] is defined as a partial part [upanea vyakhyana]. (26)

Krsna dasa Goswami also defines the word anga as referring to a plenary portion. Such divine portions are full of knowlege and bliss [saba cid ananda maya]. (27)

Sri Advaita Prabhu and Sri Nityananda Prabhu are the angas or plenary portions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu [advaita nityananda-caitanyera dui anga]. They are the angas (limbs) of Sri Caitanya. The sub-parts of these two limbs are called the upangas or the constituent parts of the two major limbs. (28)

HOW IS THIS YUGA-AVATARA OR INCARNATION OF THE AGE OF KALI-YUGA TO BE WORSHIPPED?

This form of the Personality of Godhead, Sri Caitanya, is meant to be worshipped by the intelligent class of men [yajanti hi su-medhasah]. The word su means very good and medhasah means one who is intelligent, one who has good brain substance. (29)

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the propounder, also sometimes called the initiator, of the sankirtana movement of congregational chanting of the Divine Name of Krsna [sankirtana pravartaka Sri Krsna Caitanya]. Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya through the medium of sankirtana is fortunate [sankirtana yajne tanre bhaje sei dhanya]. (30)

Anyone who worships Lord Caitanya, by making a sacrifice of His life, wealth, time, and intelligence and words is very fortunate and is recognized by the Lord and gets the blessings of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

HOW DO THE SIX GOSWAMIS EXPLAIN THIS FAMOUS VERSE?

Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhupada has commented upon verse Krsna varnam tvisakrsnam, in the introduction of his Bhagavata-Sandarbha. He composed the famous verse antah krsnam bahir gauram.

"I take shelter of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who is outwardly of a fair complexion but is inwardly, Krsna Himself. In this age of Kali, He displays His expansions [His angas and upangas] by performing congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord." (31)

Srila Prabhupada explains the meaning of the above verse.

"He [Srila Jiva Goswami ] has placed the verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam quoted in text 52 (krsna varnam tvisakrmam ...) as the auspicious introduction to his Bhagavata-Sandarbha or Sat-Sandarbha. He has composed this text (81), which is, in effect an explanation of the Bhagavatam verse of the same work. The verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam was enunciated by Karabhajana, one of nine great sages, and it is elaborately explained by the Sarva- Samvadini, Jiva Goswami's commentary on his own Sat-Sandarbha. Antah-Krsna refers to one who is always thinking of Krsna. This attitude is a predominant feature of Srimati Radharani. Even though many devotees always think of Krsna, none can surpass the Gopis, among whom Radharani is the leader in thinking of Krsna. Radharani's Krsna consciousness surpasses that of all other devotees. Lord Caitanya accepted the position of Srimati Radharani to understand Krsna; therefore He was always thinking of Krsna in the same way as Radharani. By thinking of Lord Krsna, He always overlapped Krsna.

Sri Krsna Caitanya, who was outwardly very fair, with a complexion like molten gold, simultaneously manifested His eternal associates, opulences, expansions and incarnations. He preached the process of chanting Hare Krsna, and those who are under His lotus feet are glorious." (32)

ARE THERE OTHER VERSES FROM THE SRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM WHICH GLORIFY OR INDICATE THE DIVINE APPEARANCE OF SRI CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU?

Yes, there are two other verses often cited by Srila Prabhupada and the previous acaryas.

"O protector of those gone to you for refuge! O Supreme Lord! I bow to Your lotus feet Which are always fit to be meditated upon without the least restrictions of time and place, which destroy all impediments like, karma, jnana, yoga to the practice of unalloyed devotion to you, Which are the wish wielders, and holy because of their being the resort of the holy river Ganga, Which are ever being extolled by Siva and Brahma, Which are the fittest sanctuary to be sought after by all, Which destroy the acutest distress of their servants and Which are the ship to cross this ocean of wordliness." (33)

We offer our respects and humble obeisances unto the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, [vande maha purusa te carana aravindam] Who left his household life, [tyaktva sudustyajya] leaving His adorable consort, who is worshipped even by the demigods. He went to the forest [yad agad aranyam] to deliver the fallen souls, who are under the influence of the material energy [maya-mrgam].

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has a very young and beautiful wife, Sri Lakshmi Devi, and His mother, Sri Sacidevi, was very affectionate. At the age of 24 years old, He took the order of sannyasa and left home to go and preach.

By examining His characteristics, the great Acaryas have pointed out that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is described in those verses of the Bhagavatam.

DO OTHER MAJOR VEDIC LITERATURES ALSO DESCRIBE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ADVENT OF SRI CAITANYA?

Krsna dasa Kaviraja Goswami has cited a verse from the Maha-Bharata (Dana-Dharma, Visnu- Sahasra-Nazna Stotra) to point out the divine characteristics of Sriman Mahaprabhu's appearance.

In His early activities Lord Caitanya comes as a householder. He has a golden complexion [suvarna varnah]. His limbs are very beautiful [vara-anga] and are smeared with sandalwood pulp [candana- angadi]. He has the appearance of molten gold [hema-anga].

The Supreme Lord Caitanya accepts the renounced order of life [sannyasa-krt]. He is fully sense-controlled or equipoised [sama], and is completely peaceful [santa]. He is completely fixed in the chanting of the holy name of Lord Krsna, [nistha]. He is the highest abode of devotion and transcendental peace. He silences the mayavadi impersonalists [nistha santi parayanah].

Srila Prabhupada has explained that Sripada Baladeva Vidyabhusana has written a Gaudiya Vaishnava commentary on the Visnu-Sahasra-Nama, called the namartha sudhabhidha, in which he has explained the meaning of the relevant verses from the Sahasra-Nama.

Note: The above verse cited from the Sri Caitanya- Caritamrta (CC Adi-Lila 3.49) is actually cited from 2 different verses of the Visnu-Sahasra-Nama.

The first part of the text, 'suvarna varna hemango varangas candangadi' is from text 79 of the Visnu-Sahasra-Nama (suvarna varna hemango varangas candanangadi-viraha visamah sunyo ghrtasir acalas calah.)

The second part of the text cited in the Caitanya-Caritamrta (sannyasa-krt samah santo nistha santi parayanah) is from text 62 of the Visnu- Sahasra-Nama. The full text [62] is trisama samagah sama nirvanam bhesajam bhisak-sannyasa krt chamah santo nistha sanah parayanam.

In this famous commentary he states that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is supported by evidence from the Vedic Upanisads. The sanskrit words suvarna-varna indicate one who has gold-like complexion. The vedic text to support this point is:

The words rukma-varnam kartaram isam refer to the Supreme Person [Sri Caitanya] who has a complexion like molten gold.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DESCRIPTIONS OF LORD CAITANYA'S BODILY FEATURES ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE GREAT DEVOTEES PRESENT AT THE TIME?

Srila Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, one of the foremost disciples of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu in Jagannatha Puri, composed an entire series of prayers describing in detail the various features of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, called Sri Gauranga-Prati- Anga-Varnanakhya-Stava-Rajah, or the King of Prayers, proclaiming the glory of each limb of Sri Gauranga. Let us carefully present a few of these divine gems.

Lord Caitanya's bodily luster.

Srila Sarvabhauma Bhaffacarya has described the complexion of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's body.

I worship Lord Krsna, the spiritual master of the universe, who appears in the age of Kali with a luster like molten gold. His body is beautiful and tall. He is like molten gold, and He is the delight of the son of Sacidevi. (37)

In the Upa-Puranas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna speaks to Srila Vyasadeva:

"O Brahmana, I occasionally take the Sannyasa Asrama [sannyasa asrama asritah] in an attempt to bring the fallen people of Kali Yuga to take up the path of Bhakti or devotional service to Lord Krsna [hari bhaktim grahayami]."

The Supreme Person will appear in the first part of the age of Kali [janma prathama sandhyayam]. He will appear in the home of a Brahmana [bhavisyati dvijalaye], to save the embodied conditioned souls [uddharaya tanu-bhrtam] burning in the troubles of Kali-Yuga.

In the first part [prathama sandhya] of the age of Kali, I will come among the brahmanas [karisyami dvijatisu] to save the fallen souls,[paritranaya tanu- bhrtam] who are being burned by the troubles of the age of Kali [kalina dahyamananam].

Prediction of the name of His mother and the actual name of His future birthplace.

In the first part of Kali-Yuga, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a gold-like form. First He will become the husband of Lakshmi [Srimati Lakshmi Devi, Lord Caitanya's first wife]. Then He will become a sannyasi, near Lord Jagannatha who will appear in a divine wooden form.

Prediction of the bodily color of Sri Caitanya and the nature of His future activities.

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead who in the Satya-Yuga appeared as a half-man, half-lion to cure a terrible disease that had ravaged the daityas, and who in the Treta-Yuga appeared as a person named Rama [Lord Ramacandra], a person who defeated the ten- headed Demon Ravana, and who in the Dvapara- Yuga removed the earth's burden, and protected the Gopa [cowherd men] people of Vraja-pura, will appear again in the Kali-Yuga. His form will be golden, He will delight in chanting the Lord's holy names, and His name will be Chaitanya." (56)

The Supreme Personality, Janardana, who is the object of the yogis' meditation [yogi-cintyo- janardanah], who saves the devotees from various sufferings, and who is the master of all yogic practices [yogesvarah], who is always full of divine transcendental ecstasy and bliss [sandra-ananda- atmakah], will advent in His own divine form of Sri Caitanya [Caitanya-vapah].

In the Padma-Purana, the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself states:

I shall appear on this earth [mahi-tale] in the first part of Kali-Yuga [kaleh prathama sandhyayam] in a beautiful place on the bank of the Bhagirathi [bhagirathi-tate ramye]. I shall have a golden form [gaurangah], and I shall take birth as the son of Saci [bhavisyami saci-sutah].

O Divija (demigods), please come and advent as devotees on this earth [bhuvi jayadhvam jayadhvam] in the age of Kali-Yuga. I will incarnate as the son of Saci [bhavisyami saci-sutah] to inaugurate the congregational chanting of the name of Krsna [kalau sankirtana arambhe].

I will reveal my eternal golden form [gaurangotham mahi-tale] in the first part of Kali- Yuga [kaleh prathama sandhyayam]. I will advent on the earth on the bank of the Bhagirathi [bhagirathi- tate bhumni].

O austere sage, you should know that in the age of Bali, everyone will see my transcendental form as a sannyasi [kalau sannyasa rupinam]. I will be exhibiting symptoms of ecstasy like shedding tears of bliss and hairs standing in ecstasy [anandasru-kala-roma- harsa-purnam].

Prediction of the color of Sri Caitanya and the nature of His future associates.

prasantatma lamba-kanthas gaurangas ca suravrtah (63)

In the Agni-Purana, it is said:

The Supreme Personality of Godhead will come in a golden form [gaura-anga], full of peace [prasantatma], and a beautiful long neck [lamba-kanthah]. He will be surrounded by many saintly devotees [sura-avrtah].

[Note: This is an indirect prediction of the future advent of the members of the Panca-Tattva.]

In the age of Kali, I shall advent [bhavisyami kalau yuge] where the three rivers meet [tri-srotas- tira-sambhavah]. I shall have a shaven head [mundah]. I shall have a golden complexion [gaurah]. I will be very kind and always chant the holy name of Krsna [dayaloh kirtana-grahi].

Prediction of the name of the river where Sri Caitanya will take his birth and other characteristics.

In the age of Kali-Yuga, I shall come [bhavisyami kalau yuge] in a place on the bank of the Ganges [ganga-tira-samudbhavah]. I will be very pure [suddhah], have a fair complexion [gaurah], and be very tall [su-dirghangah] and chant the holy names of Krsna.

Prediction that the Supreme Lord will leave Goloka and corne in a golden form.

I shall come as the best of the brahmanas [aham eva dvija-srestha]. I will exhibit many pastimes [lila- pracurya-vigrahah] in the form of a devotee [bhagavad-bhakta-rupena]. I shall deliver the people of the world [lokan raksami sarvada].

Prediction of the name of the mother of Sri Caitanya and His future role as the deliverer of the darkness of Kali-Yuga.

O Narada Muni, I will take birth in the womb of Saci [saci-garbhe ca sambhuya]. I shall save the people, who will give up all proper good conduct [sarvan acara varyitan], from the terrible darkness of the age of Kali-Yuga [kali-ghora-tamas-channan].

Prediction of the future advent of Sri Caitanya, His birthtime, His mother, His birthcity, His name and His mission.

I shall advent in the month of Phalguna, when the star Phalguni is conjoined with the full moon. I shall incarnate in a golden complexion in the womb of Saci and Purandara Misra.

I will be born in the city of Navadvipa,on the Ganges's shore, in a Brahmana's family. I shall take the renounced order of life [sannyasa] and show kindness to the people in general and engage them in Bhakti. I will be known as Sri Krsna Caitanya.

All of you should follow My order and deliver the people of the world. I shall appear as a Brahmana. I shall make this earth fearless.

Prediction of Sri Caitanya's birthcity, the name of the river close to His birthsite, the name of His rnother, His close associates and their divine roles in His lila, His divine reason for incarnating as well as different narnes by which Sri Caitanya will be known.

"To show mercy to the people and give them devotional service, the Supreme Personality of Godhead will appear in a Brahmana's home in Navadvipa by the Ganges's shore. The Supreme Person, Sri Krsna Himself, who is the life of Srimati Radharani, and is the Lord of the universe in creation, rnaintenance, and annihilation, appears as Gaura, O Mahesvari. (69 ).

In Kali-Yuga, I will descend to the earth with My associates. In Navadvipa, which is surrounded by the Ganges, I will take birth in Saci-devi 's womb.

They who are bewildered by My illusory potency will not understand the great secret of the appearance in this world of Me in My personal form, in My form as the incarnation of devotion, in My form as the incarnation of a devotee, in My form bearing the name of a devotee, in My form as a devotee, and in My form as the giver of devotional service.

This secret is not to be revealed to them. Only the saintly, pure, renounced devotees, diligently engaged in My devotional service, will be able to understand Me in these five forms.

My dear male and female associates, headed by Sridama and Subala, who came to this world at the time of My advent as Lord Krsna, will come again during the Kali-Yuga.

The Gopas will become the sixty-four mahantas and the twelve gopalas. To establish the truth of religion, I will enjoy many pastimes with them.

In this way I will again reveal the path of devotional service, which has been destroyed in the course of time. My sons should also descend to the earth, assume the forms of devotees, and, by My order, also work to re-establish the principles of true religion.

At this time My names will be: Krsna Caitanya, Gauranga, Gauracandra, Sacisuta, Mahaprabhu, Gaura and Gaurahari. Chanting these names will bring devotion to Me." (70)

According to the authoritative statements of the great purva-acaryas [previous authorized bona fide spiritual masters] such as Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada, Srila Sanatana Goswami, Srila Jiva Goswami Prabhupada, Srila Krsna dasa Kaviraja Goswami, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura, and His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the foremost representative of all the Acaryas in the Gaudiya Sampradaya, and many other great Acaryas and pure devotees, Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the Yuga-Avatara, and the incarnation of Sri Sri Radha and Krsna combined who has come to taste the transcendental bliss experienced by Srimati Radharani. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This transcendental conclusion is supported by the statements of the Vedas, the Srimad- Bhagavatam, various puranas, the Maha-Bharata, various Samhitas, Tantras and Pancaratric texts.

"His face is flawless like a blooming lotus and His lips are red as ripe as bimba fruits. His nose is as beautiful as the sesame flower and his neck is like a three- ringed conch. He is very tall and His rod-like arms make artistic movements while He dances. His navel is very deep. May my Lord Gaura Candra, the king of dancers, reveal Himself in the core of My heart." ( 72)

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